PODCAST
Mis-Focused Faith
September 8th, 2023
Matthew 23:23-28
The young pastor was thrilled to receive an unanimous call to his first church. Nevertheless, some members who were present when he interviewed were not there on his first Sunday. When he called on them they announced they were now attending church elsewhere. Puzzled, the new pastor asked a senior board member, “How could my call be unanimous and members withdraw before I arrived?” “Well, pastor,” the gray haired lay leader responded, “We took three ballots that day. There was a final motion that we make the call unanimous. I guess some weren’t willing to go along!”
I have known church members who paid their tithe to the penny, $93.71! Or $114.32 if they picked up some overtime. Some were quick to criticize others’ efforts, but slow to offer any service themselves.
Matthew 23 makes me squirm. “[O]n the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (v. 28).
What do we need to do to change that? Focus on justice, mercy, and faithfulness. There will be no time to count pennies!
Author: Duane Brush
September 8th, 2023 at 6:59 am
For some reason I can’t make sense of this one.
Can someone help me understand what he meant by they only took 3 ballots and the whole unanimous vote. I’m sorry if I seem simple.
Thank you
September 8th, 2023 at 7:45 am
The church had called “three votes” unanimous, although in reality, not everyone voted. The young pastor was under the impression “unanimous” meant everyone, however, it actually meant three people.
September 9th, 2023 at 5:59 am
Thank you Mike.
So only 3 people voted and of those 3 it was unanimous.